Ignition system



Feb. 6, 1923. 1,444,464

J. H. HUNT;

IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 11, 1918 s sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 6, 1923.

J. H. HUNT IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 11, 1918 5 sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 6, legs. 1,444,464

J.H.HUNT

IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 11,l918 5 sheets-sheet 3 Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

UNITED s'r 'rss PATENT OFFICE;

JOHN H. HUNT, OF DAYTON, 0310, ASS IGNOR TO'THE DAYTON ENGINEEBHWG LABORATORIES COMPANY; .8. CORPORATION OF OHIO.

. IGNITION sYs'rmr.

Application flied November 11, 1918. Serial No. 261,945.

Toallwhomit may concern:

Be it known that I,- Jomv H. HUNT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefnl'Impr'ovements in Ignition Sys tems, of which the following is a full,.elear,

and exact description. 3 i

This invention relates to ignition systems for internal-combustion or explosion en- Among the objects of the invention is the provision of an '1 nition system including a plurality of spar ing circuits which areopstated in such a nfanner asto provide a series of sparks at recurri unequal intervals, that is, the intervals ce$iye sparks are u ual, while alternate intervals are equal. uch a sequence of sparks will be termed a non-symmetrical sequence.

The invention also provides means for distributing all of the sparking impulses created in the manner referred to in nonsfivmmctrical sequence to suit the requirements of a particular type of internal-combustion engine. Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description,' reference being had to theacconpignying drawings,

wherein preferred embo ents of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:-'-.

Fig. '1 is a wiring diagram showing certain elements which are included in the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a timing and distributing unit which inchides certain of the elements shown in Fl". 1. i

lig. 3 is a wiring diagram showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram showing a still .zirtlicr modified form of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1. and 21 designate as whole. ignition coils having primary windings 22 and which are connected with a battery 24 having a ground connection 25. The primary (fill 22 IS connected which is mounted on a timer cup 28.

tween the sucgine driven shaft 41.

. an outwardly M;

by means of a wire 26 with a terminal 27 The primary winding 23 is connected by means of wire 29 with terminal 30. likewise mount- "ed on'the'timer cup 28. The cup 28 is pro- 'tomaintain the contacts 34 and 36 normally in engagement. S ring 39, connecting'the -terminal with .t "e arm 33, functions in the same manner as the spring 38.

The timer cup 28 is formed integrally with a housing 40which supports an en- Said shaft 41 is on ped at its upper end to receivethe slotted an of a stub shaft 42. Shaft 42 carries a disc 43 upon which are mounted centrifugal weight members 44, only one being shown. The stub shaft 42 is recessed at its upper end to provides bearing for cam shaft 45. 'Said shaft, 45 is journalled upon the "base 31 and carries the timer cam 46 and distributing rotor 47. Each weight member 44 is provided with an arm 48 which engages H endin arm 49 carried by the cam shaft this manner a driving connection between the stub shaft 42 and the cam-shaft 45 is effected. Springs, not shown, serve normally to maintain the weight members 44 in their innermost position toward' the shaft 45.

41. provided with diagdnal placement of the cam shaft 45 with respect to the shaft 41 is eflected by the action of the centrifugal members 44 in a well known manner.

The distributor head 60 comprises a shell 61 which is mounted u n the timer. cup 28. A conducting ring 621s mounted upon the shell 61. The head 60 comprises also a cup shaped member 63 which 13' located within the shell 61 and rests u on the ring 62. Said member 63 is provi ed with a center contact 64 and aseries of stationary contacts 65 arranged in a circular fashion, each of secondary winding 72 cooperat' -said. contacts 65 being connected with the The 'tion coil. 20 is rovided lgm p with the I primary. 22,2 and said. winding 72.

' by means of wire 71. with the centercontact 64 representediby the dqt'in F' 1. The' i'gnition coil, 21 lB PlOVlfiBCl i a, secondary winding 73-cooperatmg Iwith, primary winding 23; said, winding 7 3 being connected b meansofzwire 74, with '.the ring 62., d ensers 75 and 76 areconm p v el -with the breakers 33 and 32 respect Wei 1 wand '76 may be enclosed actisin 77-wliichis attached to thecoi'er 78 of-t ehous ng. 40 as shown inI'Fig; 2.

. Rsening.wr g.-1,*n;wa1rim its that he. breakerarms.'32;and,;33 grejnot placed diametricall cpposite withtre spect ytd' 'the cam 46,. that the" brushes 67-. and .69 of the rotor-41 ,are notiplaced op-. the of 'therotor. "In Fig.1, line-32 isa' line intersectm .the

I cam center'andithefpointofwontad: o the ing the axis of cam .46 and the point of contactof the coinv peripheri and rubbing block 33" of breaker arm-33.

or. sake of conven ience these lines 32' and 33" will be referred to in the specification and claims as the center lines of the, breaker rubbing blocks. In the embodiment shown Fig. gle between 'these lines is 225. The line 67 intersects the axis of rotor 47 "and the center of brush 67, and the line 69'. intersects the axis of rotor 47 and the center of brush 69. These lines 67 and 69 will be referred to in the specification and claims as the fcenter' lines of the distributing conductors. In the embodiment shown in Fig.

1 the an-- 1 the angle between these lines is 22.5.

.'I his construction and arrangement permits the alternate operation of the breaker arms 32 and 33 b means of a cam 46 to break, al-

ternatcl t primary circuits inthe ignivtion coi s 20 and 21. The intervals between the breaking of these primary circuits measured in angles of rotation of the cam 46 will be 225 and 675 alternately. By reason of the non-symmetrical arrangement of the brushes 67 and 69-upon the rotor 47, the sparking impulses which have been produced in non-symmetrical sequence by means of the operation of the cam upon the breakers, will be distributed in like manner in nonsymmetrical sequence in the various s ark plugs of the engine. \Vhere the crank s aft' of the engine operates,- at twice the speed of the cam shaft 46, sparks will be delivered to the engine at intervals of 45 and .135" alternatel with respect to the engine crank shaft. his particular firing order will be suitable for an eight 0 linder engine of the 45 V-type with crank t rows.at 180.

It is evident that these a les between the center lines of cam rubbing blocks and between the center lines of distributing con ductors will not be the same for all V-type but, will vary according to the number of cylinders, the angle between the rows orbanks of cylinders and as to whether the timercam is driven at engine speed or at one-half en 'ne speed.

l "he num rof coils and breakers in any case will equal the number of rows or banks of c linders. This number is generally two., If equals the angle between the cylinderi blocks and ,the cam speed is one-half engine speed, then. the angle between the center 7 lines of the two cam rubbing blocks isj i and the number of cam lobes is g N being the number of engine 0 linders. Obyiously, if the cam speed equa s engine speed then the an le between the center lines of rub-z bing blocks will be V; and the number'of cam lobes is Since each distributing brush makes,-a-.

respect to the timer cam is identical with that shown in 'Fig. 1. In this modification feature the stationary contacts are not all arranged upon the same circlewith respect to the axis of the rotor.

In Figs. 3 and 4 numeral 1 designates the modified form of distributor. head which is provided with a ring IOI'ofconducting material. This ring 101 is connected by means of a wire 74 with the secondary winding '73 of'the ignition coil 21. The head is provided with a center 'mntact 102 which is connected by means 10f the wire 71, with the secondary winding 72 of-the ignition coil 20. 105 designatesfwmodifid iorniof distributor rotor which is provided with a contact 106 which cooperates with theoentpr contact 102. Contact 106 is connected by means of aconduc'tor 107 with a brush 108.

rush 108 is arranged to cooperate with the outer-row of stationary distributor contacts 109. The rotor 105 is provided with a brush 110 which is'arranged to contact with the ring 101, and is .by means of a conductor 111 with'a brush'112. Brush- 112 is arranged to cooperathwith the inner-- row of stationary distributor contacts 113. In the modification just described, and

shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the 0 "ration of the timer is the same as that of t 'e timer shown inFig. 1. Sparking impulses are created in ignition coils 20 and'21 alternately and'these impulses are conducted to the center contact 102 and the ring 101, respectively. From the ring 101. and the center contact- 102, current will be conducted to the brushes 112 and 108 respectively, by means of which the impulses aredistributed alternately to one of the inner-row of stationary contacts 113 and to one of the outer-row of stationarycontacts 109. By virtue of the construction and arrangemcnt described the interval between consecutive sparks will be 45 and 135 alternately with respect to the turning of the crank shaft; Thus. the modified form of embodiment of the invention shown in Fig.

3 will produce the same'resultas the first form shown in Fi .1.

Another type 0% engine having non-s mmetrical firing'o'rder is the 45 V-t e eight cylinder engine having cranks at 90- The intervals between successive sparks of this,

type of engine may be as follows: 90, 90, 90. 135, 90, 90, 90, and 45. In order to provide ignition suitable for this type of engine a non-symmetrical cam 120 is provided, as shown in Fig. 5, to co-operate with the breaker arms 32 and 33. By means of the cam 120 the breaker arm 32 will be operated to break the circuit in the induc' tion coil 20 four times in succession, and then the breaker arm 33 will be operated four times in succession to break the primary circult of the ignition coil 21. By locating the arms 32 and 33 with respect to the cam 120 124. The rotor 122 isprovided with a con iluctin stri 125 which conducts current from t e een r contact 64 to the brush 126. Theeam 120 will o rate the arm 32 to open the contacts ,34 an 36 four times in succea, sion whereby to create .four successive impulses in the' ition coil 20. These impulses willbe istributed by means of the rush 126. tothe stationary contacts 127, 128,

129 and mofffl'Ihe' intervals between these consecutive sparks :will be with'respect to theengine crankshaft. Upon a 135 rotation of thccrank shaft a fter the distribution to the ehhtact 130, the cam 120 will 90 operate the arm 33.f ou r times in succession to cause the opning-lofcoiitacts 35 and 37, whereb to create fo1i ic0nsecutive impulses in the ignition coil2'1. Upon'a 135 rotation of-the crank shaft the contact 130, brush 124 will distribute eparki impulses to the contacts 131, 132, 133, and 134. The intervals between the distribution of these spark plugs will be 90 with respect to th y engine, crank shaft. Upon a 45 of the crank shaft after the last opening of the contacts 35 and 37 the cam 120 will begin to operate upon the breaker arm 32, and at the some time the brush 127 will he in position to distribute to the stationary contact 1 3. In this manner the sparking ini ulses ll be created inthe order referrer to, to supply the. correct ignition for an eight cylinder 45 V-ty e engine having crank throws at 90.

Wliile the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are applicable to certain types of combustion engines, it is to be understood that suitable ignition could be supplied to other types of engines having non symmetrical firing intervals. by varying the angular disposition of'the breakers with respect to the cam shaft or by varying the shape of the cam. also by making cox-responding-changes in the angular disposition of the distributing brushes carried by the rotor.

In the claims, the tcrm symmetrical cam means a cam having equally spaced lobes of the same dimensions: and the term non-' symn'ictrical cam means a cam having lobes which are not all equally spaced.

lVhile the forms of mechanism herein shown and described constitute preferred forms of embodiments of the invention. it is to be understood that 01hr! forms might be 1150 adopted, all coming within the scope ofithe claims which follow.

I claim- 1. In an ignition-system for multi-cylinder internal-combustion engines having nonspectively with the engine spark plugs, and

rotatable distributin conductors each connected with an ignition coil, said conductors and said contacts being arranged to efl'cct 'nomsymmetrical distribution of the sparking impulses. I i

2. In an ignition sysmm for multi-cylins der internal-combustion engines having nonsymmetrical firilpag sequence thecombination with a plu ityof coils each serving to supply sparking impulses to a plurality of cylinders; of means for energizing and discharging said coils alternately and in non-symmetrical sequence; and distributing means including a head having a plurality of stationary terminals connected tively with the engine spark plugs, 'sai terminals havin faces Ice in the same plane, and including a rotor having a plurality of distributing conductors cooperating with said ('(H'ltfiOiS, each conductor bei' connected with an ignition coil, said con actors and said contacts bein arranged to effect nons'ymmetrical distribution of sparking impulses.

3. In an ignition system for multicyli nder internal-combustion engines having nonsy nmetrical firing sequence, the combination with a plurality of coils each serving to so ply sparking impulses to a plurality of cy inders; of means for energizing and discharging said coils alternately and in nonsymmetrical sequence; and distributing means includinga plurality of stationary contacts spaced at equal angles, and.mov able distributing conductors each connected with a coil. the center lines of said conductors being obliquely disposed whereby to effect non-symmetrical distribution, each mnductor, distributing to alternate station- :11)! contacts.

4. In an ignition system for multlc'ylinder internal-combustion engines having non- \'mmetrical firing sequence, the combination with a plurality of coils each serving to supply sparking impulses to a plurality of cylinders; a symmetrical engine d iven ram; a plurality of breakers having cam 1:bl-ing blocks the center lines of which are obliquolydisposed so as to be operated by wi l cam in non-symmetrical sequence; and

their respective contacting sur-v at degrees, and each breaker cooperating distributing means including a plurality of stationary contacts spaced at equal angles, and a plurality of engine driven distribut- 1'ng conductors having their center lines obhquely arranged at an angle to produce d stribution of all the sparking impulses in non-s etrical succession.

5. u an igpition system for multicylindcr internal-com ustion engines havingnonsymmetrical. firin sequen the combination with a plura ity of coi s each serving to an pl sparking impulses to a pluralityof cy 1n rs; of means forenergizing and dscharg'ing said coils alternately and in nonsymmetrical sequence; distributing means including a plurality of stationary contacts spaced at equal a has, and movable distributing conductors e center lines of which are oblique] disposed whereby to efi'ect nonsymmetrica distribution; means .for connectin one coil with one of the conductors includin a stationary center contact connected with said coil anda movable contact plate connecting said conductor with said center contact; and means for connecting the other coil with the other distributing conductor including a stationary conducting sgrin connect'ed with said coil and a move a le rush connecting said ring with 'said other conductor; 6. In an ignition system for four cycle. internal-combustion on has ofthe \l-typqat" having N cylinders, V enoting angle in e- H grees between the rows of cylinders, the combination with two ignition coils; .of' a 0 current source; timing means for energizing and discharging said coils alternatelyjaud in non-symmetrical seqque'nce; and distributing means including stationary contacts spaced at-equal angles and two. movable tri'buting conductors the ,center lines. "of which are obliquely disposed at an angle of degrees, each conductor .being connected with one of saidcoils. r

7. In an ignition system for four cycle internal-combustion engines of the V-type having N cylinders, V denoting angle in degrees between the rows of cylinders, the combination with two ignition coils; of a current source; a timer including a symmetrica cam having 5 lobes and arranged to be driven at one-half engine speed, and including two breakers having rubbing blocks the center lines of which are obliquely arranged with the current source and one of the coils;' and distributing means including N station'- ary contacts spaced at equal angles and two movable distributing conductors the center lines of which are obliquely disposed at an angle of degrees, car-h conductor being connected with one of said coils.

8. In an ignition system for a four cycle internalwombustion engine of the V-type having eight cylinders, the angle of the V being the combination with two ignition coils: of a current source; a timer including a symmetrical four-lobe cam driven at onehalf engine speed, and including two breakers having rubbing blocks the center lines of which are obliquely arranged at 22.5", and each breaker cooperating with the current source and one of the coils; and distributing: means including eight stationary contacts spaced at equal angles and two movable distributing conductors the center lines of which are obliquely disposed at 22.5",cach

conductor being connected with one of said 9. In a distributor rotor for igniton sys tems of internal-combustion engines of the V-type, a non-conducting rotatable sup ort, two distributing conductors arranger on said support at the same distance from the axis thereof and-having, their center lines obliquely disposed, said conductors being arranged to distribute alternately to a circular row of stationary distributor contacts, a contact plate for collecting current at the axis of said rotor and for conducting to one of said conductors, and a collecting brush connected to the other conductor and arranged to collect current from a stationary cylindrical band. 7

10. In an ignition system for multicylinder. internal-combustion engines having nonsynunetrical firing sequence, the combination with a plurality of coils each serving to supply sparking impulses to a plurality of cvlinders; of means for energizing and ischarging said coils alternately and innonsymmetrical sequence; and distributing means including a head carrying a plurality of stationary contacts spaced at equal angles and arranged in the same plane, a center contact, a conducting ring arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of said stationary contacts, and a rotor carr ing two distributing conductors obliquely isposed to distribution by each conductor to a tcrnate stationary contacts and all together in nonsymmetrical sequence, said rotorgcarrying a collecting brush arrtsziiged to contact with said ring and connec with one of said distributing conductors, and said rotor carrying a center brush contactin with said center contact and connected with the other distributing conductor.

In testimony whereof I aflix m signature.

JOHN HUNT. Witnesses:

M. A, PEARE,

J. W. MODQNALD.

rovide 

